Kai Sushi & Dining

While visiting Santa Fe, we decided to give this place a try. Food was pretty good. We ordered the sashimi platter and it was very fresh. We got 2 rolls and were ok. The soft craft was better, the Seattle was fell apart as soon as one touches it. The rice was super overcooked and smushy. Udon noodles soup was pretty ok. Service was average. The waitress was nice but a bit lost. The place had a nice ambience but in the middle of dinner some lights went off.

My fiancé and I walked in at 8:35 p.m. They close at 9:00 p.m. I could see the displeasure in the chef's face, but hoped I was mistaken. The server approached us and informed us that the chef said we could only order take out. It is ridiculous to turn away customers at 8:35 p.m. on a Saturday night.

Is there actually great sushi in New Mexico? The land of frito tacos, fry bread, and rough red and green smothered tacos to make a grown man cry?!?Yes! Actuary there is!I decided to try out Kai Sushi for the first time because it had a lot of great reviews. The first thing I noticed was the small, unassuming interior. It definitely has a small cozy vibe, not a big expensive vibe. The service was really good and the food came out quick! I went with the Kai roll, which was a good choice, I thought the individual components went together very well, and it was a little bit spicy, but not too much. I decided to get the original flavored Japanese Mille Crepe Cake as well. I thought it was fantastic. I'll be back!

Ate here tonight and were excited to order the Agedashi Tofu (our favorite) as the menu says it's vegetarian (There was a green V next to it on the menu). As we are both strict vegetarians, I had the waitress verify with the kitchen that there was no bonito (fish) in the sauce as 99.9% of agedashi tofu has it. She came back with the news that the agedashi tofu uses the same dipping sauce as the tempura and DOES HAVE fish in it!!!! WHY IS IT LISTED AS VEGETARIAN ON THE MENU?? That is lying to the customers who do not eat animals. PLEASE change your menu and be truthful by crossing out the green V next to the agedashi tofu immediately. OR make a separate vegan broth.I'm assuming all the vegetarians who are ordering vegetable tempura are dipping into your fish broth which is NOT OK.The four veggie sushi we ordered tonite were ok. The rice was cold which is not how it should be. I've been teaching Japanese cooking classes in Toronto Canada, Portland OR and Seattle WA for over 40 years and know very well how to make proper sushi. Cold rice is not the way to go.

This was our first venture inside Kai. It was chill and cozy. Previously, we had just used takeout or delivery. So glad we popped in.We promised ourselves we'd try new rolls. We ordered two shrimp tempura ones, just in case the other three didn't work out. ; )I'm so happy I was adventurous, because I now have a new go-to order. The Taos roll is BAKED! I had no idea I'd enjoy hot sushi so much. Also could have been because it was snowing and the warm food felt really good. I also had the Calamari roll. Both were delicious.My daughter raved about the Tootsie roll she ordered. Just the perfect amount of heat. Her shrimp tempura rolls were also enjoyable. Overall we thought the ingredients were fresh, prepared well, and met our sushi expectations. I have previously ordered their teriyaki salmon bento box and enjoyed it immensely.For visitors to Santa Fe, Kai is conveniently located just off St. Francis and St. Michael's streets in a shopping center with ample parking. It's worth a 5-minute drive out of the downtown Plaza area.Staff greeted us when we came in and were helpful with menu questions. You can watch your sushi being prepared if you choose to sit at the counter.

My husband and I have been craving sushi since our move to Santa Fe and this hit the spot! The AC seemed to be down when we arrived but thankfully we were sat next to the door and a fan. So it wasn't overly hot. Kai has a lot of options so if you are with the right people eat family style! Try you're interested in and then share across the group. This isn't the best sushi we've ever had but it was satisfying and reasonably priced. We will definitely be coming back to fulfill our sushi kick.

Perfect tempura, great selection of rolls & sushi always fresh & appetizing. The staff is helpful and polite; meals delivered to your table quickly. My favorite sushi restaurant in Santa Fe.

Food was excellent. I had a sushi platter and soup. It was busy, but the waiter was very attentive and took my order quickly. It was a welcomed change! I give it 5 stars on service, ambience and food.

This place went way down hill. Most the 5 star reviews you see are likely from when the old owner had it. Now, in the year 2025, this is another restaurant struggling to keep its doors open and the quality shows that reality. Some of the waitstaff has a dirty vibe, and the food has a dirtier vibe. The miso soup is kind of yellow. Gross. Don't eat it. They're doing something weird to it. I've never seen yellow miso soup before.The people cannot take an order, you will have a missing item, but they'll always charge you for it. The tables are crowded, literally the restaurant is nothing but booths, ?!? ok bro. You will leave angry.

I sat at the sushi bar and had the most wonderful meal. I did not expect such high quality, and would highly recommend this place. The fact I took the only remaining open seat shows I am not alone in liking this place.